Your skin color depends on melanin, a pigment of the skin. It is a protein produced by melanocytes, which are a special kind of skin cells. The skin is always in a state of flux, with new cells being formed in the underneath epidermal layers and then migrating gradually upwards toward the skin surface. Here, they ultimately die off and are sloughed.
Melanocytes sit deep in the epidermal layers. In people with colored skin, these cells produce more melanin compared to people with white skin. Certain things promote the production of melanin. These are inflammation and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. In colored people, the excess melanin helps to protect the skin from damage from the sun. But farer-skinned people are not as lucky as melanin does not provide good sun protection.
When there are patches in the skin that are darker colored, it is referred to as hyperpigmentation. Pigmentflecken can occur in several skin types although they tend to be far more common in colored skin people. In this article, we break down hyperpigmentation for you to make you know the best approach to take gegen pigmentflecken.
What are the most predominant types of hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation comes in many types and is categorized as follows:
- Age spots:These refer to small patches of dark brown, and are often called sunspots. These tend to be more common in parts of the skin that are exposed to the sun like around the eyes, forehead, face, or neck. Also, they can occur on the back of your arm or hands.
- Melasma: Melasma refers to larger hyperpigmentation patches. In women, melasma is most commonly brought about by the use of hormonal contraceptives or HRT. Another factor that can cause this type of hyperpigmentation in women is pregnancy hormones often referred to as chloasma.
- Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation– It happens inflammation occurs on a skin area that previously had inflammation, for example, after an outbreak of eczema or acne lesions. This leads to a discolored patch on the skin. This type of hyperpigmentation can also result from a chemical peel or laser treatment.
Common Hyperpigmentation Triggers
You may wonder why hyperpigmentation only occurs in some people but not others. The answer lies in the triggers for this condition. By understanding the common triggers, you the best approach to take gegen pigmentflecken. They include the following:
- UV Radiation:When you are exposed to sunlight for a long, melanin production is triggered, and you develop suntan. This can help protect your skin from further damage by the sun. However, being exposed to the sun excessively can worsen the situation darkening and making prominent any kind of hyperpigmentation.
- Aging:Aging makes the total number of melanocytes decrease. However, the remaining few ones increase in size. Also, the epidermis becomes thin, making the skin look thinner, more fragile, and easily traumatized.
- Hormones:Although not understood fully, the hormones progesterone and estrogen combine with sunlight to make individuals at a greater risk of hyperpigmentation. Half of the pregnant women and about 25% of women on contraceptives develop hyperpigmentation.
- Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)- Hyperpigmentation can be triggered by anything that causes trauma to the skin and leads to inflammation. The reason is that inflammation automatically stimulates the skin to produce melanin. Its other name is post-inflammation erythema (PIE). An example is a reddish tinge in the skin that acne sufferers experience after picking at spots and squeezing them.
- Medical Conditions: Certain diseases can cause hyperpigmentation, Under this type of hyperpigmentation, the discoloration is more pronounced in skin creases, skin folds, or pressure areas. In the case of Addison’s Disease, a patient has low levels of cortisol but the ACTH levels are elevated. ACTH stimulates the body to produce more melanin.
- Medicines:many different medications are known to cause hyperpigmentation. They include antibiotics, antiretroviral drugs, anticoagulants, and analgesics, to mention but a few.
How to prevent hyperpigmentation
The best way to protect yourself gegen pigmentflecken is to avoid sun exposure. One method of doing this is to invest in sunscreen of SPF 30 or more. Make sure it has a minimum of 4 stars for ultraviolet protection. Apply the sunscreen to all parts of your body that will be exposed to the sun, and also repeat this at the interval of 2 hours and also after swimming. It is worth remembering that no sunscreen can protect you 100%. That means minimizing going out as much as you can.
Another tip is to wear a broad-brimmed sun hat. Also, try to avoid being hit by direct sunlight between midday and three pm as the sun is hottest at this time. You also want to stay away from sunbeds as much as you can.
What to do if diagnosed with hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation can be clinically diagnosed, which means that no tests are necessary. However, it’s crucial that if you see a new pigment mark form on the skin, or you notice any lesions on the skin or pigments, have your GP check it out ASAP. Melanoma, a type of skin cancer, is becoming increasingly common. Research shows that over 160,000 cases of melanoma get to be diagnosed each year in the US, which shows that it has grown the fastest of all cancer types.
Most pigmentflecken cases aren’t as a result of melanoma, but because of melasma. The treatment of the condition is only commenced after the diagnosis is done. The majority of the medications to treat hyperpigmentation are available only on prescription.
Conclusion
It takes a lot of hard work to look after your skin. Unfortunately, most people ignore their skin when young, and this turns out to be a great mistake. Lesions as a result of too much exposure to the sun aren’t easy to treat once they happen. Experts advise thinking ahead and taking actions to discourage developing pigmentflecken in the first place.
There is no doubt that we are all scared of cancer. However, even a small abnormality like hyperpigmentation can wreak havoc in your life. It can cause distress, and embarrassment, and even make your self-confidence plummets. Fortunately, understanding this condition can save you a lot and help you wage a successful war gegen pigmenflecken.
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